Nik Masangcay studied Fine Arts at Far Eastern University but later on, transferred to The Philippine Women's University. Even before he finished his college degree, he was given the opportunity to work, as a junior artist, with the then-number one advertising agency in the Philippines, J. Walter Thompson. Later on, he transferred to other advertising firms, design studios and magazine publications. He had also worked in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for two years. But because his love is really for the serious field of fine arts, he left the commercial world of advertising. He started joining art groups that gave him the opportunity to showcase his art pieces.

In the year 2000, his work was featured in a coffeetable book “PASIG CITY, Portrait of a New Metropolis” by Mr. Manny Duldulao. He had his1st one-man show in the year 2002 at Silahis Arts and Artifacts in Glorietta, Makati. In 2007 His painting was again included in the coffeetable book, “The Lives and Loves of Artists and Models” by Mr. Manny Duldulao. A coffeetable book, “PHILIPPINES by NIK MASANGCAY” was launched in 2008 where more than 250 pieces of his watercolor paintings about the Philippines were showcased. Some of the book pieces in this book were featured in his 2nd one-man show at Rennaisance Gallery in SM Megamall.

In the year 2009, His entry for the 26th KULAY SA TUBIG, a nationwide watercolor competition sponsored by the Genesis Gallery, was chosen as one of the Top 5 Best Entry. In 2012, His painting was selected for the HALLMARK FOR LIFE Christmas Card and was featured in the Postage Stamp of Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. His painting was again featured in the 2015 HALLMARK FOR LIFE desk calendar.